The following computer-generated description may contain errors and does not represent the quality of the book:Pride of ancestry has little to commend it; but knowledge of ones ancestors is desirable, to enable us to emulate and retain their virtues, and to discard their defects and imperfections. Hereditary influences are ever operating; environment may modify them, for better or worse, but can not wholly eradicate them from our human natures. Some men and women are natural born criminals, others love justice and law and order and transmit these qualities to their progeny. With these views I have searched the genealogical records of the family of Bakers to which I belong, and have endeavored to ascertain when and where and how my ancestors lived, and what kind of people they were. Was gratified to learn that they were industrious and self-supporting, and kept out of poor houses, jails and prisons, and were law abiding and patriotic citizens. I was further pleased to learn that my first American ancestor, Nicholas Baker, was one of the flock of Rev. Peter Hobert, which settled in Hingham, Mass., in 1635; removed to Hull; and thence in 1660 to Scituate, where he was ordained as pastor, serving in that capacity until his death in 1678. His son, Samuel Baker, married Fear Robinson, a daughter of Isaac Robinson, the son of Rev. John Robinson, the pastor of the Pilgrims. The start of the family in America was thus made by Nicholas Baker, a graduate of Cambridge and by a granddaughter of John Robinson, who was also a Cambridge graduate. The maternal lines for four generations were Pilgrims.